Question:
Sugar & Fat cravings?
I heard that after gastric bypass that you won't be craving sugars and fat as much as before. Can anyone testify to that? Thanks, Ruthie — Ruth M. (posted on January 14, 2009)
January 14, 2009
I am almost 3 mos post op and I crave sweets just as I did before. I may
not crave them as I much but I still do. I am one of the lucky ones (or
unlucky) depending on how you look at it, that doesn't get dumping. I can
eat basically anything if the portion is small enough. I am down 65lbs now
and I will be 3 mos post op on the 23rd of Jan. Tiffaney
— tiffaney2183
January 14, 2009
This is true for SOME people, but NOT for all. Some people experience
"dumping syndrome" from eating either sugar or fats. Some get
the syndrome from eating BOTH. Some consider themselves CURSED when they
experience the syndrome, and some consider it a BLESSING. Everyone is
different. You will NEVER know which type of experience YOU are going to
have until AFTER the surgery.
I must state that I have NOT had this surgery, but have had the Vertical
Sleeve Gastrectomy, instead. I have just read enough about this surgery to
know that this is the way things are. I have no bias against this surgery,
and am not trying to sway anyone's opinion, I am just putting the facts out
there. As I have stated, SOME people actually view the inability to eat
sugars or fats as a BLESSING, so this COULD be considered a POSITIVE aspect
for the surgery if that is what you are after. Just be aware that you
cannot COUNT on such a thing occurring. I hope this helps. Hugh
— hubarlow
January 14, 2009
That is only a generalization. Every patient is different. If you're
considering RNY, then I'd strongly urge you to attend support meetings
every month. I don't have issues with sugars or fats, commonly called
dumping. But knowing this I research nutrition, and have recommendations
about vitamins, proteins, etc on my blog and profile story. I attend 3
support meetings every month--very important to my continued success with
RNY some 32 months ago. DAVE
— Dave Chambers
January 14, 2009
this is like comparng apples to oranges. For some reason i don't crave
sweets-sugars ect- wouldn't do me any good if I did, not allowed more than
3 grams of sugar per serving, and in nearly 5 years post op, have been too
scared to push the envelope. Fats, are a different ball of wax, we
malabsord fats, but we still need to curtail the amounts we ingest,
according to our individual surgeons/nuts rules. Only thing i have wanted
for all these years is fried chicken, still haven't taken a bite, and have
to bite my tongue when i go to the market-where they sell fresh fried
chicken, good grief you can smell it from the parking lot- just mighty glad
i have a castiron will, combined with a fear that one taste will be my
undoing- ask me again in 5 more years. good luck Cindi M.D. -230#
maintaining loss over 3 years
— DollyDoodles
January 14, 2009
The only way to break the sugar habit is leave it out. You do lose your
desire. Use S/f popcycles, jello, things like that for your sweet tooth.
Sugar will sabatage all you've worked for. Good luck.
— lesleigh07
January 14, 2009
I still eat sugar in moderation and lots of fat every day. I had the
duodenal switch weight loss surgery and theres no dumping since the pyloric
valve is maintained. Since fat is malabsorbed I can eat plenty of fatty
foods and it even HELPS my weight loss! Isnt that wild? LOL Check out all
the WLSs before you get it done. I love my DS. I am 4.5 years post op and
lost 185 lbs! Good luck to you!!
— SameButDifferent
January 14, 2009
I really don't crave anything. I am never hungry. I am 3 months post-op.
I did want some ice cream and found skinny cow ( low fat and low sugar). I
have problems with sugar alcohols also. I do dump.
— tonitoot
January 14, 2009
I had RNY in October of 2002. A few accidental tastes of sugary foods
(instinctively likcing the spoon after making something for my kids soon
after surgery) caused me intense dumping syndrome so the negative
conditioning kicked in early and my craving for sweets ended early. There
have been times when I will want a particular sweet food (like when I am
with my relatives and they are dunking homemade biscotti in very good
strong dark espresso), but I don't have those generalized cravings that I
did before surgery. As an aside, I still dump, as I have noticed when
having something that I think is sugar free but isn't. Regarding fats, I
eat fats in moderation-- I stay away from french fries because they are
loaded with carbs, not because of the fat-content, but will have some fried
clams a few times every summer (particularly when I at Kelly's in Revere
Beach in Massachusetts). But, once again, fats are filling, my pouch is
small and they do tend to take up a lot of room, so my decision to limit
them is not due to the fact that they make me sick, but that they are too
filling.
The joy of RNY is that there are immediate negative consequences to
over-eating and to making poor food choices; because the negative
consequence is so closely tied to the time you ingest the troublesome food,
your brain can quickly make the connection and the conditioning process can
begin. Of course, the secret is to not test your surgery early and to not
desensitize yourself to the effects of sugar consumption or overeating,
which unfortunatley happens for some when they decide to try reintroducing
their "problem" foods in moderation soon after surgery. For, you
see, in my opinion, and in my experience, many of us had problems with
moderation in the past and hoping to suddenly learn how to eat tempting and
emotioanlly pleasing foods in "moderation" soon after surgery
doesn't always work out well.
— SteveColarossi
January 15, 2009
At 3 mths out I still have cravings (head hunger) at times. I've found that
the tiniest nibble of something sweet... usually tastes way too sweet. I
can't even tolerate most of the SF candy I used to like, and don't even use
Splenda in my tea anymore.
— snickersblk
January 15, 2009
Hi, Ruthie, I am one month post op and I am not hungry at all, I do not
"crave" sweets, but if someone is cooking something really yummy
I can't help but want a little, I think they call that head hunger on here.
But it is not the same as a craving. When I feel that I grab a sugar
free popsicle (I also grab one if I am bored or just wanting to graze). I
figure I am killing two birds with one stove, I am getting some liquid and
I am relieving that desire for a treat. I have been told that my appetite
will come back with time, but right now, I am not hungry and find that a
lot of the time I have to remind myself to eat.
— brindledanes
January 15, 2009
I do not crave fatty food...AT ALL...They gag me now. I have never stopped
craving sweets...but I can control cravings MUCH easier if I eat fruit when
I have a sugar cravings..A tiny piece of fruit will satisfy...If I eat
sugar...That often makes me crave some simple carbs within an hour or
sooner and then I deal with standing at the pantry looking for something
that might satisfy me...and nothing usually does until I've eaten a bite of
this or that and a nibble and sip of something else...SO...I stay away from
simple carbs which do make you crave more...and stick with fruits and whole
grains (complex carbs) which do not have the same effect because they do
not raise the insulin levels in your blood that bring you those highs and
lows like with simple carbs and sugar! Stay away from sugar and junk! It's
truly the best plan! But...if you must...do it in moderation! Don't allow
it as a daily food...It's not good...If you ever heard the word "carb
monster"...that's what carb cravings feel like to those who have let
it get outta control...It's a "monster" of wicked cravings,
severe hunger pangs shortly after eating, gassy, achy, pouch problems...
THat's what sugar and simple carbs do if you eat them regularly! Yeah...I
had that once! Okay...maybe twice! I'm not proud! But I got back on track
and stay away from that stuff....Many people who gain weight back will tell
you the reason is sugar...I gained 10 lbs last winter...and it was sugar! I
lost the sugar and I lost the weight! It's that simple!
— .Anita R.
January 16, 2009
I didn't read all of the other answers but you asked a ? and I will tell
you my experience. I do not crave sugars. I made fudge and cookies around
the holidays and this is the first time in my life I had no desire to touch
any of it. I tasted the fudge (as it was my first time making it) and I
cringed. I didn't even want it in my mouth. I don't crave fatty foods
really either. Now once in awhile I will see something fatty and want a
bite but almost 99% I don't touch it.
— bridgadean
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